The Marriage Bargain Release Celebration

I’m pleased to announce that The Marriage Bargain, my latest ‘dear child’ is now released (via Amazon as paperback, e-book, and KU). To celebrate, I have one more excerpt for you. It picks up from my last, which you can find here. Let’s see how Darcy and Elizabeth’s first meeting proceeds, shall we?

Chapter 3

Elizabeth studied her guest. Mr Darcy was a handsome man, tall and dark with fine features, but even if she had not known his financial situation, she would recognise his clothes as those of a man with little money to spend on his wardrobe. His eyes roamed the room, and he sat stiffly, one knee bouncing. She did not blame him. After all, they were strangers who were considering spending the remainder of their lives together.

I suppose it does sound mad. But it will make Uncle happy, and he has given me so much. It is the least I can do. And, having promised him I would, I ought to get on with it and choose a husband!

Mr Gardiner’s wishes for her were of a long-standing nature, and she loved and respected him too much to argue against them. He would never ask her to accept a man she did not like or believe she could be content with, and Elizabeth was of the belief a couple could learn to care for each other and have a happy life if they both dedicated themselves to the task.

She produced a brief smile for her companion. As she began to speak, he fixed his eyes on her. “Mr Darcy, we both know why we are here. In such a case as ours, I believe honesty is important. I would prefer to discuss what we both require of our spouse, should we agree to go ahead with the scheme. I would call this a business deal, but marriage cannot be thought of as solely a business transaction. We would have to face each other in church and take vows, which is a very solemn matter to me. I could promise to try to love you, though I am no silly, romantic little girl, and I know one or both of us might never feel a passionate love for the other. But there are other forms of love. At the very least, I could promise to care for you and treat you with the kindness and consideration one should show their spouse. I could vow to be true to you. I understand that is not a usual expectation amongst the ton, but I was not brought up with such morals. Fidelity is important to me. I would be miserable in any other sort of arrangement.”

“You are very candid, Miss Bennet. I believe my reasons for considering this arrangement”—he gestured to the two of them—“are clear. What I do not understand is why you would agree to it.”

“Surely, you have been told of my desire to improve my social standing?” It was more her uncle’s dream than hers, truth be told, but that was immaterial. What she wanted was a husband she could trust, one with whom she could create a family and find happiness.

“With your fortune, you could hold out for a man with a title. Why should you wish to settle for me?”

Elizabeth studied him and the corners of her mouth twitched. She liked that he was not leaping at the chance to marry her, despite her wealth. “I care nothing to be ‘Lady’ this or that. My uncle will be satisfied with me marrying a respectable gentleman. You are not the first man who has sat across from me in such a manner, but my uncle was not satisfied with their circumstances or their person, and neither was I.”

He arched an eyebrow; she supposed he meant for her to explain. In the short time they had known each other, she had determined he was not a loquacious man.

“One was older than my uncle,” she said, “and another was stupid. I can bear many things but never a stupid man. You might wonder what makes you different. I suppose, it is because my uncle has learnt that your character is unblemished, and the work you have done these last few years is admirable. Though, partly, it is your estate.”

“Pemberley?”

“Yes, indeed.” She ran her hands along her skirt and spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “I should say, the location of your estate. You may not know this, but my uncle was married. His wife, who died long ago, spent many years of her childhood in Lambton. My uncle loved her dearly, and he likes the idea of me being settled so close to an area where she was happy.”

His cheeks took on a dusting of colour and the pace at which his leg bounced increased. “You could find a man who is more established in society. I have few connexions, having been absent so much these last five years. My…my father was not respected by many and…”

“The Darcy name is a good one. Your family is an ancient one, and whatever financial problems exist, it is respected even now. You would not be here otherwise.”

His eyes darted to hers for a second, and Elizabeth thought she saw a tightening of the muscles in his jaw. He must know Uncle had him investigated. It would be foolish to rely on Lord Halsley’s recommendation alone. When he said nothing, she continued, hoping to ease his evident discomfort. “You may feel you are not as established in society as you could be. I see it as another difficulty for us to overcome—should we marry—and I have no doubt we would succeed. Once I set my mind to a task, I always see it to its conclusion.”

Her answer seemed to displease him, though she could not imagine why. “I do not suggest either of us decides today. What we are contemplating is a significant step for both of us, and we have only just met. You might like to see what you can discover about my uncle and me, apart from what Lord Halsley has told you. I understand you have a young sister?”

“I do. Georgiana is fifteen.”

To Elizabeth, the possibility of gaining a sister was even more incentive than the location of his estate. Although she seldom admitted it—to herself let alone anyone else—she missed the special kind of friendship to be had with a sister. “I would like to meet her before we make any final decision. From what I understand, you intend for her to live with you upon your marriage?”

She waited for him to acknowledge this before adding, “Then it would be imperative that your wife and sister like each other. What of the rest of your family? Are they aware of what you are thinking of doing?”

A flash of what she thought might be annoyance crossed his face, and he tugged at the cuffs of his shirt. “No.”

“How do you think they will take the news?”

Then she was certain she saw irritation. She also heard it in his voice; when he spoke, he almost spat the words. Elizabeth could not decide whether she should laugh or scowl at him.

“Should I decide to pursue this course of action, I shall. I am my own man and care nothing for their opinions.”

After such a declaration, Elizabeth would not have been surprised to discover his relationship with his family was strained. Currently, she had no intention of asking him about it. She was finding it difficult to make out Mr Darcy’s true feelings about the possibility of their union, and it vexed her. She had learnt to discern the intent of the gentlemen who approached her. Even those who claimed to feel an affection for her were often most interested in her wealth.

Since she would never trust the motives of a man who claimed to love her, she might as well approach marriage from a practical point of view and give her uncle the gift of seeing her position in society elevated. In his eyes, if not those of the world, she lost her standing when her father died, and his estate passed into the hands of a distant cousin from whom he had been long estranged. Elizabeth, Uncle Gardiner’s one surviving family member, had gone from being a gentleman’s daughter to ‘just’ a tradesman’s niece, and this rankled her uncle. Were she left to her own wishes, she might not marry at all. She was rich enough not to need the security of a husband, though she did want children.

With Mr Darcy, there was a reluctance towards the scheme she was unaccustomed to, and it made her think better of him. She was not decided whether she would marry him, but she trusted that if he desired to pursue the notion, then he would treat the matter with the same gravity she did.

After all, I did tell him what I would like from my husband. We would not enter this with false promises of love, but nevertheless, we would understand marriage is not to be treated lightly. I shall not tolerate a husband who disregards me in favour of mistresses. Mr Darcy does not strike me as the sort of man who would act in such a manner. Before I promise to be his wife, I would have to be confident he was not.

When it seemed evident he had nothing more to say, and before his awkwardness became even more acute, Elizabeth said, “Well, you know where to find me if you decide you would like to know me further.” She stood.

Mr Darcy also rose and, with a bow and the usual words of farewell, departed.

Chapter 4

Elizabeth sat with her arms crossed and stared at the door for a long while after Mr Darcy left. Mrs Hill remained in the corner, and Elizabeth was not sure she realised the gentleman had gone. The elderly woman, who was well into her sixties—no one was certain of her exact age—was the strongest tie to Elizabeth’s life in Hertfordshire.

Her mother had died when Elizabeth was not yet two, and she had been only six when her father and elder sister, Jane, died in a carriage accident. With no other family able to take her in, Elizabeth became the responsibility of her uncle. Uncle Gardiner had been the best guardian any girl, any young woman, could want, providing her a peaceful home, a good education, and all the material comforts. Her uncle worked hard and became enormously successful. Despite his growing wealth and his ability to give her anything she wanted, Elizabeth would not call herself spoilt. Uncle Gardiner always insisted she know the value of hard work and the privilege of the luxuries surrounding her.

After a delay, Uncle Gardiner joined her in the drawing room, a hopeful grin on his countenance. As he sat next to her, he said, “Well Lizzy, what do you think of him?”

She was pondering just that, knowing he would ask. “I believe he would have been pleasant company were he not so nervous. I cannot fault him for being somewhat discomposed at this initial meeting, of course. He is a very serious man, perhaps even taciturn, and I am not sure whether that is in his favour or not.”

Uncle Gardiner chuckled. “Now, now, my dear, you know you could never tolerate a silly man. A serious one would do you much better. He is not a bad looking fellow, eh?”

“No, he is quite handsome. I have the impression his current circumstances are distressing to him, and there may be some difficulty with his family.”

“Young Mr Darcy has spent the past five years out of the country. That is bound to strain many friendships. His is an old family. I can’t say I think much of their business sense, but if they could manage their money, they would not need mine!”

With a smile, Elizabeth said, “Very true, Uncle. Tell me, what did you think of him?”

He shrugged. “You know I like this one because his estate is in Derbyshire.” He patted her knee. “He is Lord Halsley’s godson, and the earl, whom I have always liked and whose opinion I respect, speaks well of him. Very well, indeed. But I would not have you marry him, or any other man, to fulfil some wish of mine.”

Elizabeth gave his arm a light squeeze. They had had this conversation often in recent years. What she could not explain to him was why she felt most secure going about it in this manner.

Before she was even out, Mr Gardiner had received an offer for her hand from a man whose only object was to establish closer ties to him. Elizabeth had suffered the false attentions of several men after him who also valued her only for her fortune or her connexion to a wealthy businessman. Having been injured by a man’s lack of sincerity, and she had vowed never to let it happen again.

At twenty years old, she would elect to enter a marriage with both parties being honest about why they had chosen the other and what they expected from their spouse and their union. Not for the first time, she explained this final point to her uncle and added, “I would like to have a home in the country. I know you are a creature of the city, Uncle, but I long for the open space and clean air and trees.”

“You would have those and rocks and mountains if you became Mrs Darcy. Lord Halsley tells me Pemberley, for all it has suffered from neglect, is a beautiful estate. You know he is in favour of this match, believing it is in his godson’s best interests. He would not have approached me with the scheme if he was not certain Mr Darcy would be a good husband to you.”

After making a noise of agreement, Elizabeth said, “It is not only up to me. I am not convinced Mr Darcy will return. I would say the odds are only fifty percent.”

“So low as that? My goodness, Lizzy. Frightened him off, did you?”

She laughed and stood. “If I did, he frightens very easily. It takes a prodigious amount of courage to enter an arrangement such as he is seeking. If he does not have it, I would rather not have him.”

With that, they let Mrs Hill know they were leaving the room and went about their days.

That’s it! If you liked the excerpt, I hope you’ll give the full story a try (link). I promise you a happily ever after for Darcy and Elizabeth (and perhaps a bit of comeuppance for another character or two…)

Lucy